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VMD to phase out COVID-19 medicines facilitations
The relaxation will last until 31 August 2020 and then cease.
Temporary retail supply measures to cease on 31 August. 

Temporary measures to allow vets to delegate the supply of veterinary medicines to internet retailers or wholesale dealers for home delivery are to cease on the 31 August.

The Veterinary Medicines Directorate (VMD) first relaxed the enforcement of the Veterinary Medicines Regulations (VMF) in April to meet social distancing guidelines. Now, in light of the easing of lockdown, the VMD has announced a final extension to these measures.

In a statement, the VMD writes: ‘In view of the updated Government guidelines in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, this notice amended has been amended to provide that the VMD has made a final extension to the temporary relaxation of the specific provisions of the Veterinary Medicines Regulations 2013. This relaxation will now last until 31 August 2020 and then cease’.

The VMD states that it will not issue an improvement notice if there are breaches of the relevant provisions of Schedule 3 of the VMR during this period.
 
 'This is a temporary VMD enforcement policy in relation to specific obligations under the VMR only,' the VMD writes. 'The VMR continue to apply. The VMD may continue to take action to enforce those obligations in cases where the procedures described in the statement are not followed.'

‘These changes do not affect the existing provisions that allow a veterinary surgeon in exceptional circumstances, for example for animal welfare reasons, to instruct a Wholesale Dealer Authorisation holder to deliver medicines to the client’s premises.’

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Birmingham Dogs Home makes urgent appeal

News Story 1
 Birmingham Dogs Home has issued an urgent winter appeal as it faces more challenges over the Christmas period.

The rescue centre has seen a dramatic increase in dogs coming into its care, and is currently caring for over 200 dogs. With rising costs and dropping temperatures, the charity is calling for urgent support.

It costs the charity £6,000 per day to continue its work.

Fi Harrison, head of fundraising and communications, said: "It's heart-breaking for our team to see the conditions some dogs arrive in. We really are their last chance and hope of survival."

More information about the appeal can be found here. 

Click here for more...
News Shorts
Avian flu confirmed at premises in Cornwall

A case of highly pathogenic avian influenza H5N1 has been detected in commercial poultry at a premises near Rosudgeon, Cornwall.

All poultry on the infected site will be humanely culled, and a 3km protection zone and 10km surveillance zone have been put in place. Poultry and other captive birds in the 3km protection zone must be housed.

The case is the second avian flu case confirmed in commercial poultry this month. The H5N5 strain was detected in a premises near Hornsea, East Riding of Yorkshire, in early November. Before then, the disease had not been confirmed in captive birds in England since February.

The UK chief veterinary officer has urged bird keepers to remain alert and practise robust biosecurity.

A map of the disease control zones can be found here.